Technical Director – NutriPlus Knowledge Center

Applications are invited from Indian nationals for Technical Director for its NutriPlus Knowledge Center (NKC), to be based at ICRISAT, near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The Technical Director, NutriPlus will steer the mission of NKC in making it a self-sustained center within a period of five years. He/She will report to the Managing Director – Agri-Science Park@ICRISAT.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, apolitical, international organization for science-based agricultural development. Established in 1972, it is one of the 15 Centers of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and is supported by more than 48 governments, foundations, and development banks. Please visit www.icrisat.org for more information.

NutriPlus Knowledge Center at ICRISAT is a platform for R&D and innovation for high value added processed technologies/products that will house pilot plants, laboratories and a marketing unit for new product development and commercialization of technologies. It will develop strategic alliances, with national and international research institutions and private sector companies, to develop a repository of commercially scalable technologies and work towards innovation and commercialization of technologies through its infrastructure and knowledge pool consisting of peer partnership with stake holding agencies.

The Role and Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities and develop collaborative research projects for NutriPlus using ICRISAT and partner technologies
• Establish strategic partnerships with national and international research institutions, private companies and entrepreneurs, and ensure ICRISAT scientist involvement in resulting projects
• Provide coaching and technical backstopping to NutriPlus partners to ensure products ideas are successfully delivered from lab to production scale
• Manage and provide technical backstopping to the laboratories and pilot plants of NutriPlus: e.g. food technology, food safety, post-harvest management, extraction
• Develop and manage R&D teams for product development and related research operations
• Ensure the delivery of the NutriPlus objectives in a timely fashion
• Ensure NutriPlus resources are well managed
• Assist the Managing Director and COO – Agri- Science Park @ ICRISAT to advance and champion the mission of the ASP.
• Support and ensure compliance with key ASP governance and management policies of ICRISAT

The Person:

• Masters in Food Science, Food Technology or Post Harvest Management. MBA from an institution of repute would be a plus. At least 10 years experience in a research institution or processing industry in food product R&D.
• Experience with food quality and safety issues would be a plus. Experience in managing research staff and operations, as well as budgets and MIS, with advanced skills in using Microsoft Excel are essential.
• Experience in both non- and for-profit settings would be a plus. Experience with working in and/or Managing R&D in science or business parks.
• Proven leadership ability, including managing people and processes under pressure.
• Demonstrated product development skills, analytical ability, research skills.
• Knowledge of current global trends related to food processing with demonstrated entrepreneurial ability and innovation of commercially viable products.
• Flexibility, adaptability and initiative
• Good communication skills (with a multi-cultural range of people), liaison, negotiation and consultation skills. Client and service focus.
• Knowledge of ICRISAT, its values and culture would be helpful

The Reward: A competitive remuneration package will be offered that commensurate with expertise and experience, as per the norms of ICRISAT. The contract will be initially for two years, and renewable upon satisfactory performance.

How to Apply: The application should include an up-to-date resume, names and addresses (including fax and e-mail) of three referees, date of availability, and a statement of suitability for this position. Please send applications by email clearly stating the job title in the subject column to: icrisatjobs@cgiar.org latest by 15 October 2008.